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<\/a><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret I love the season and even though I am the preacher type, I don\u2019t demand the \u2018sacred\u2019 perspective on every element.<\/p>\n
I love jingle bells, cheesy Christmas shoes songs, \u2018only 6 shopping days left\u2019 announcements, and talking about the pretend Santa Claus (though I prefer the story of the real guy from Turkey… if I just dropped a bomb on you and ruined Christmas, my bad).<\/p>\n
When I ask if you’re ready for Christmas, I\u2019m not asking you to check your list, your calendar, or your energy level. I am asking you something that goes a bit deeper.<\/p>\n
Christmas is the season for celebrating the coming of our Savior. The God of the universe descending not to earth, but into humanity. The incarnation of God in human flesh.<\/p>\n
John 1:14 \u00a0And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
It is the undisputed greatest event in human history! We divide our calendar between BC and AD because of it. It defines the belief system of more than one third of the planet’s 7+ billion people. It\u2019s the cause of the largest retail boost in the country every year.<\/p>\n
Okay, that last point was a little weak, but you get my drift.<\/p>\n
Christmas in its simplest expression is the birth-day celebration of Jesus. An annual remembrance of the day He put on a human suit and stepped into our reality.<\/p>\n
By this great incursion of the Holy into the profane, we have been given Good News for all, the life lessons of the Gospel to bring heaven to earth, the sacrifice of the cross, the forgiveness of the resurrection and the hope of eternity in the presence of our Creator.<\/p>\n
Talk about some party favors.<\/p>\n
But, like any party, if you\u2019re going to enjoy it, you have to be there. The invitation has already been sent in His Word, His Church and the million little ways His Spirit has nudged in this lifetime… maybe even with something like this little article?<\/p>\n
So, the only question that remains is, are you coming to the party? That\u2019s what I mean when I ask if you are ready for Christmas.<\/p>\n
You can get so wrapped up buying gifts and planning the party you miss the Guest of honor, and that would be a shame.<\/p>\n
On that very first Christmas, shepherds were terrified, the angel announced, the heavenly host appeared: \u201cGlory to God in the Highest!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nAnd, then…<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n\nLuke 2:15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, \u201cLet us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
This is my encouragement to you this Christmas, \u201cLet\u2019s go over… and see this thing that has happened.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hit the pause button, allow a silent night, hold hands with your family, pray around the tree, attend a Christmas service… show up at the party.<\/p>\n
Merry Christmas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Christmas is less than a week away, are you ready? I\u2019m not asking if you\u2019ve got all the gifts, been to all the parties, or seen all the movies. I know we all have a list of what needs to get done, or \u201cit\u2019s just not Christmas.\u201d For me the \u201cBig 3\u201d Christmas movies that … <\/p>\n